{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"47861","rtpr_id":"nGNX2LKb6h","ticker":"IMM","exchange":"ASX","all_tickers":["IMM"],"title":"Systemic immune activation with eftilagimod alfa associated with statistically significant increased overall survival in late-stage cancer patients","author":"Globe Newswire","published_at":"2026-05-28T12:00:02.782Z","article_body":"SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Immutep Limited\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=8qK9SZX-xUPKzExt9df8gx6P6EyP3UeAfFKcPotINlSr9qjhp_UR2ahNzOwhXXvRmsi-My0YRk2xrV05TBkLVg==)\n(ASX: IMM; NASDAQ: IMMP) (“Immutep” or “the Company”), a\nclinical-stage biotechnology company targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases,\ntoday announced results from a systematic evaluation of 5 clinical trials of\neftilagimod alfa (“efti”) an antigen-presenting cell (APC) activator in\ncombination with standard-of-care (SOC) therapies in late-stage cancer\npatients.\n\nIn these trials, treatment with 30 mg subcutaneous (SC) efti plus SOC resulted\nin a significant increase in circulating absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), a\nblood-based measure of immune activity, compared to SOC alone where this\neffect was not seen. More importantly, increased ALC was significantly\nassociated with improved clinical outcomes in the E+SOC group. A clinically\nmeaningful and significant median overall survival (OS) improvement (median\n+7.7 months; p=0.0017(1)) was seen in ALC responders compared to ALC\nnon-responders in the efti + SOC group (figure on the left). No corresponding\nassociation between ALC response and OS was observed in the SOC alone group\n(figure on the right).\n\nThe analysis included 592(2) patients across five independent clinical studies\n(TACTI-mel, TACTI-002, TACTI-003, AIPAC, AIPAC-003) spanning four cancer\nindications (NSCLC, HNSCC, MBC, melanoma), correlating the pharmacological\neffects of efti in combination with SOC treatments with clinical efficacy.\n\nOverall survival of late-stage cancer patients treated with SOC + efti (left)\nand SOC alone (right), ALC responders vs ALC non-responders.\n\n\nEffects were observed across the different tumor types and were independent of\nthe combination partner i.e., chemotherapy or immunotherapy such as PD-1\nantagonists.\n\n“These findings link the immune-activating effect of efti measured in\npatients´ blood with meaningful and significant survival improvements\nobserved in previous clinical trials. Importantly, this highlights a key\nconnection between efti´s mechanism of action and clinical efficacy,” said\nFrederic Triebel, Chief Scientific Officer of Immutep.\n\nIn addition, treatment with efti plus SOC was associated with a rapid and\nsignificant increase in circulating TH1-related biomarkers, which correlated\nwith clinical response. Gene expression profiling further demonstrated\nenhanced T-cell function scores in responding patients.\n\nCollectively, these data suggest that efti induced broad immune activation,\nincluding circulating immune cells, cytokine responses and gene expression,\nand that this activation was associated with improved clinical benefit in\nlate-stage cancer patients across multiple tumor types.\n\nThe data will be presented in a poster at the 2026 American Society of\nClinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.\n\nASCO 2026 Poster Presentation Details\nTitle: Eftilagimod alfa, an APC activator via MHC class II, induced lymphocyte\nactivation linked to improved survival in metastatic cancer patients\nPoster Session: Developmental Therapeutics—Immunotherapy\nDate and Time: 30 May 2026, 1:30 PM-4:30 PM CDT\nPoster Board: 359\nAbstract #: 2569\n\nThe poster will be available on the Posters & Publications section\nof Immutep’s website\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=8qK9SZX-xUPKzExt9df8gw54xltjiTTEmc1xJLsfyyWt1O_KJepR_bVN82ltsR_FGTvG8hTPwE_dHM5NDyPpmGeSlEwJCS2LbNfUBf451wV_0qh-ae3fwMRfYtA4WmSiaRskl7mXVkkZ3hpq63C8Ug==) following\nthe presentation.\n\nTACTI Program Context\nEfti has been tested in multiple clinical trials, including the TACTI program\n(TACTI-mel, TACTI-002, TACTI-003 and TACTI-004).\n\nIn March 2026, following a planned interim futility analysis, Immutep\ndiscontinued the TACTI-004 Phase III trial in first-line non-small cell lung\ncancer based on a recommendation from the Independent Data Monitoring\nCommittee, and Immutep continues to review available data to understand\nfactors behind the futility outcome and to evaluate implications for the\nbroader eftilagimod alfa development program.\n\nThe data presented in this explorative analysis does not include data from the\nTACTI-004 study, as immune data collection for that trial had not been\ncompleted at the time of the analysis. All data presented were generated from\nearlier clinical trials.\n\nAbout Immutep\nImmutep Limited (ASX: IMM; NASDAQ: IMMP) is a clinical-stage biotechnology\ncompany targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases. The Company is developing\nnovel immunotherapies based on Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3). For more\ninformation, please visit www.immutep.com.\n\nForward-Looking Statements \nThis press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements\nregarding anticipated clinical development, regulatory progress and potential\nbenefits of eftilagimod alfa. These forward-looking statements are based on\ncurrent expectations, estimates and projections, and involve known and unknown\nrisks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual\nresults to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such\nstatements.\n\nFactors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks\nassociated with clinical trial outcomes, regulatory developments, and the\nCompany’s ability to advance its product candidates.\n\nReaders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking\nstatements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Immutep\nundertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements, except as\nrequired by applicable law.\n\nDisclaimer\nThis announcement has been prepared for informational purposes only and does\nnot constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy,\nsecurities in any jurisdiction.\n\nAustralian Investors/Media:\nEleanor Pearson, Sodali & Co.\n+61 2 9066 4071; eleanor.pearson@sodali.com\n\nU.S. Investors/Media:\nMatthew Beck, astr partners\n+1 (917) 415-1750; matthew.beck@astrpartners.com\n\n(1) Overall survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier estimates and a log-rank\ntest.\n(2) Details of the analysis are described on the poster in the methods\nsection.\n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b2cd55d0-59ab-45ac-a1fe-5cf2adac7f24)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nGNX2LKb6h","title":"Systemic immune activation with eftilagimod alfa associated with statistically significant increased overall survival in late-stage cancer patients","author":"Globe Newswire","ticker":"IMM","created":"2026-05-28T12:00:02.782Z","tickers":["IMM"],"exchange":"ASX","article_body":"SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, May 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Immutep Limited\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=8qK9SZX-xUPKzExt9df8gx6P6EyP3UeAfFKcPotINlSr9qjhp_UR2ahNzOwhXXvRmsi-My0YRk2xrV05TBkLVg==)\n(ASX: IMM; NASDAQ: IMMP) (“Immutep” or “the Company”), a\nclinical-stage biotechnology company targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases,\ntoday announced results from a systematic evaluation of 5 clinical trials of\neftilagimod alfa (“efti”) an antigen-presenting cell (APC) activator in\ncombination with standard-of-care (SOC) therapies in late-stage cancer\npatients.\n\nIn these trials, treatment with 30 mg subcutaneous (SC) efti plus SOC resulted\nin a significant increase in circulating absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), a\nblood-based measure of immune activity, compared to SOC alone where this\neffect was not seen. More importantly, increased ALC was significantly\nassociated with improved clinical outcomes in the E+SOC group. A clinically\nmeaningful and significant median overall survival (OS) improvement (median\n+7.7 months; p=0.0017(1)) was seen in ALC responders compared to ALC\nnon-responders in the efti + SOC group (figure on the left). No corresponding\nassociation between ALC response and OS was observed in the SOC alone group\n(figure on the right).\n\nThe analysis included 592(2) patients across five independent clinical studies\n(TACTI-mel, TACTI-002, TACTI-003, AIPAC, AIPAC-003) spanning four cancer\nindications (NSCLC, HNSCC, MBC, melanoma), correlating the pharmacological\neffects of efti in combination with SOC treatments with clinical efficacy.\n\nOverall survival of late-stage cancer patients treated with SOC + efti (left)\nand SOC alone (right), ALC responders vs ALC non-responders.\n\n\nEffects were observed across the different tumor types and were independent of\nthe combination partner i.e., chemotherapy or immunotherapy such as PD-1\nantagonists.\n\n“These findings link the immune-activating effect of efti measured in\npatients´ blood with meaningful and significant survival improvements\nobserved in previous clinical trials. Importantly, this highlights a key\nconnection between efti´s mechanism of action and clinical efficacy,” said\nFrederic Triebel, Chief Scientific Officer of Immutep.\n\nIn addition, treatment with efti plus SOC was associated with a rapid and\nsignificant increase in circulating TH1-related biomarkers, which correlated\nwith clinical response. Gene expression profiling further demonstrated\nenhanced T-cell function scores in responding patients.\n\nCollectively, these data suggest that efti induced broad immune activation,\nincluding circulating immune cells, cytokine responses and gene expression,\nand that this activation was associated with improved clinical benefit in\nlate-stage cancer patients across multiple tumor types.\n\nThe data will be presented in a poster at the 2026 American Society of\nClinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.\n\nASCO 2026 Poster Presentation Details\nTitle: Eftilagimod alfa, an APC activator via MHC class II, induced lymphocyte\nactivation linked to improved survival in metastatic cancer patients\nPoster Session: Developmental Therapeutics—Immunotherapy\nDate and Time: 30 May 2026, 1:30 PM-4:30 PM CDT\nPoster Board: 359\nAbstract #: 2569\n\nThe poster will be available on the Posters & Publications section\nof Immutep’s website\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=8qK9SZX-xUPKzExt9df8gw54xltjiTTEmc1xJLsfyyWt1O_KJepR_bVN82ltsR_FGTvG8hTPwE_dHM5NDyPpmGeSlEwJCS2LbNfUBf451wV_0qh-ae3fwMRfYtA4WmSiaRskl7mXVkkZ3hpq63C8Ug==) following\nthe presentation.\n\nTACTI Program Context\nEfti has been tested in multiple clinical trials, including the TACTI program\n(TACTI-mel, TACTI-002, TACTI-003 and TACTI-004).\n\nIn March 2026, following a planned interim futility analysis, Immutep\ndiscontinued the TACTI-004 Phase III trial in first-line non-small cell lung\ncancer based on a recommendation from the Independent Data Monitoring\nCommittee, and Immutep continues to review available data to understand\nfactors behind the futility outcome and to evaluate implications for the\nbroader eftilagimod alfa development program.\n\nThe data presented in this explorative analysis does not include data from the\nTACTI-004 study, as immune data collection for that trial had not been\ncompleted at the time of the analysis. All data presented were generated from\nearlier clinical trials.\n\nAbout Immutep\nImmutep Limited (ASX: IMM; NASDAQ: IMMP) is a clinical-stage biotechnology\ncompany targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases. The Company is developing\nnovel immunotherapies based on Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3). For more\ninformation, please visit www.immutep.com.\n\nForward-Looking Statements \nThis press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements\nregarding anticipated clinical development, regulatory progress and potential\nbenefits of eftilagimod alfa. These forward-looking statements are based on\ncurrent expectations, estimates and projections, and involve known and unknown\nrisks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual\nresults to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such\nstatements.\n\nFactors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks\nassociated with clinical trial outcomes, regulatory developments, and the\nCompany’s ability to advance its product candidates.\n\nReaders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking\nstatements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Immutep\nundertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements, except as\nrequired by applicable law.\n\nDisclaimer\nThis announcement has been prepared for informational purposes only and does\nnot constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy,\nsecurities in any jurisdiction.\n\nAustralian Investors/Media:\nEleanor Pearson, Sodali & Co.\n+61 2 9066 4071; eleanor.pearson@sodali.com\n\nU.S. Investors/Media:\nMatthew Beck, astr partners\n+1 (917) 415-1750; matthew.beck@astrpartners.com\n\n(1) Overall survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier estimates and a log-rank\ntest.\n(2) Details of the analysis are described on the poster in the methods\nsection.\n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b2cd55d0-59ab-45ac-a1fe-5cf2adac7f24)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-05-28T12:00:02.882314217Z","server_sent_at_ms":1779969602882},"received_at":"2026-05-28T12:00:03.085Z","source_url":"https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/05/28/3302799/0/en/Systemic-immune-activation-with-eftilagimod-alfa-associated-with-statistically-significant-increased-overall-survival-in-late-stage-cancer-patients.html"},"analysis":{"id":"37295","press_release_id":"47861","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Biotechnology","sector":"Health Care"},"redFlags":["Recent Phase III futility discontinuation in TACTI-004 (NSCLC) casts shadow on development path","Data is retrospective/exploratory, not from a new pivotal trial","TACTI-004 data excluded from this analysis due to incomplete immune data collection"],"eventType":"clinical_trial","narrative":"Immutep reported that systemic immune activation with eftilagimod alfa was associated with a statistically significant 7.7-month increase in median overall survival in late-stage cancer patients who showed an absolute lymphocyte count response.\n\nThe analysis pooled data from 592 patients across five independent clinical trials spanning four cancer indications, demonstrating that the drug’s mechanism of action correlates with clinical efficacy independent of the combination partner.\n\nThis exploratory analysis excludes data from the recently discontinued TACTI-004 Phase III trial and will be presented as a poster at the ASCO 2026 Annual Meeting.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":true,"suggestedAngle":"Immutep validates eftilagimod alfa mechanism with 7.7-month OS benefit in retrospective analysis, offering a scientific lifeline after recent Phase III futility."},"keyFigures":{"drugName":"eftilagimod alfa","customDimensions":{"p_value":0.0017,"trial_count":5,"patient_count":592,"os_improvement_months":7.7}},"quotedText":"These findings link the immune-activating effect of efti measured in patients´ blood with meaningful and significant survival improvements observed in previous clinical trials.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Frederic Triebel","role":"Chief Scientific Officer"}],"products":["eftilagimod alfa","efti"],"companies":[{"name":"Immutep Limited","ticker":"IMMP","relationship":"filer"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":3,"reasoning":"Positive retrospective biomarker analysis showing a 7.7-month OS benefit in responders across 5 trials supports the mechanism of action. However, this is exploratory data from completed trials, not a new pivotal trial readout, and follows a recent Phase III futility discontinuation (TACTI-004). It provides scientific validation but no immediate regulatory or commercial milestone."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[{"ticker":"IMMP","relevance":"dual-listed equivalent"}],"primary":"IMM"},"globalImportance":35,"audienceRelevance":25,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"small-cap","dataQuality":"retrospective_exploratory","eventGravity":"moderate","sectorWeight":"high","contextualRisk":"recent_futility"}},"event_type":"clinical_trial","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":3,"narrative":"Immutep reported that systemic immune activation with eftilagimod alfa was associated with a statistically significant 7.7-month increase in median overall survival in late-stage cancer patients who showed an absolute lymphocyte count response.\n\nThe analysis pooled data from 592 patients across five independent clinical trials spanning four cancer indications, demonstrating that the drug’s mechanism of action correlates with clinical efficacy independent of the combination partner.\n\nThis exploratory analysis excludes data from the recently discontinued TACTI-004 Phase III trial and will be presented as a poster at the ASCO 2026 Annual Meeting.","key_figures":{"drugName":"eftilagimod alfa","customDimensions":{"p_value":0.0017,"trial_count":5,"patient_count":592,"os_improvement_months":7.7}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Frederic Triebel","role":"Chief Scientific Officer"}],"products":["eftilagimod alfa","efti"],"companies":[{"name":"Immutep Limited","ticker":"IMMP","relationship":"filer"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"qwen3_6_27b_awq","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-05-28T12:12:59.392Z","global_importance":35,"audience_relevance":25,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"small-cap","dataQuality":"retrospective_exploratory","eventGravity":"moderate","sectorWeight":"high","contextualRisk":"recent_futility"}},"durationMs":49076,"modelName":"george-droid-qwen-72b"}}